Identification and Association of Refrigerated Containers with Dispatch Orders

ABSTRACT

A database dispatches data to a wireless device on the particular source that powers a container during any segment of its journey.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/884,363filed Jan. 10, 2007, and to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/884,183 filedJan. 9, 2007. Applicant claims the priority benefits of theseapplications. This is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/971,757, filed 9 Jan. 2008.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention relate to method and mean foridentification and association of refrigerated shipping containers, withcontainer dispatch orders both on land and sea.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The shipping container industry uses containers to transport goods andservices from one country or region to another. The industry attempts tohave shipping containers receive dispatch orders from origin todestination, which orders identify the commodity, origin, way points,destination, customer and delivery location. Unfortunately, evenrelatively complex and expensive wireless devices installed oncontainers lack ability to operate reliably in multiple countries orregions, and when containers are stacked on ships, transmission of datais difficult and sometimes impossible.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, a database dispatches datato a wireless device on the particular source that powers a containerduring any segment of its journey, and the shipment order is canceledfor that segment of the journey from the datatbase.

These and other embodiments of the embodiments of the invention arepointed out in the claims. Other objects and advantages of theembodiments of the invention will become evident from the followingdetailed description when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing illustrating embodiments of the operationof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps of embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is another flow chart illustrating steps of embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, trucks TK1 and TK2 carry cargo in the form of a refrigeratorcontainer RC1 and RC2, also called “reefers”. The refrigeratorcontainers RC1 and RC2 receive power from respective gensets (e.g.mobile fossil-fuel powered generators used to run electrical devicessuch as refrigerated containers) GS1 and GS2 via power connections PC1and PC2. Wireless devices WD1 and WD2 on the gensets GS1 and GS2communicate with respective refrigerator containers RC1 and RC2 eitherthrough respective power connections PC1 and PC2, by wire connection, orwirelessly. The wireless devices WD1 and WD2 identify the respectivegensets GS1 and GS2 by genset numbers each assigned to one of thegensets. The wireless devices WD1 and WD2 further read the IDs of therespective containers RC1 and RC2, container operational data, andtransmits the information to a database DB1. The database DB1 receivesshipment orders and, on land associates each shipment order with theproper container RC1 and RC2 by communicating with the gensets GS1 andGS2. The trucks TK1 and TK2 illustrate two of a number of trucks eachloaded with containers similar to containers RC1 and RC2, gensets withwireless devices and power connections all operating like the gensetsGS1 and GS2 as well as the wireless devices WD1 and WD2. Each genset is“transient equipment”, which will interface to numerous refrigeratedcontainers and be responsible for numerous shipments over time.

In FIG. 1, a ship SH1 carries a multiplicity of refrigerator containersRCn. At sea the database DB1 communicates with the ship SH1 directly toobtain data concerning data in the refrigerator containers RCn. At seathe database associates the shipment order with the ship SH1. Whererefrigerator containers are not mounted nor in operation, no directcommunication is needed from the database DB1 to the refrigeratorcontainer.

FIG. 1 is a generalized version of a system that can include a number ofships SHn with containers RCn, and trucks TKn with containers RCn andgensets GSn.

A genset GSn is attached to a specific refrigerated container RCn whenthe refrigerated container is transported on the land segment of itsjourney. The genset temporarily provides fuel and electrical energy tothat specific container, and the genset will be used with differentrefrigerated containers containing different commodities in the future.These embodiments of the invention furnish an electronics systemsdeployed on each genset GSn, that monitors its location and condition,which interfaces with a microprocessor on the refrigerated container RC1via a power line modem and the genset-container power cord or a wirelessdevice WDn. Via this interface, when the refrigerated container isturned on, the wireless device WDn may read technical data from therefrigerated container to contain refrigeration data (temperature,operating states) and the refrigerated container number. If the gensetis able to logically make the connection to the refrigerated container,then it can transmit the container number and other relevant informationvia wireless communications with the wireless device WDn.

FIG. 2 illustrates the method in FIG. 1. At 110, shipment orders forrefrigerated container shipment originating outside the region, and at120 shipment orders for refrigerated containers originating within theregion are entered into the database DB1. As shown at 130, shipmentdispatches for the fleet relevant to the region are available to thedatabase DB1. As indicated at 140, shipment dispatches contain thecontainer number, specified operating conditions, responsibility,origin, destination, and route. As shown at 150, at sea the container istuned on and powered by electrical energy from the ship. As shown at160, the refrigerated contain is powered by a mobile genset. As shown at170, the wireless device WD1 on the genset GSn interrogates therefrigerated container identification ID and transmits it to thedatabase DB1.

In the following steps:

The id of wireless device WDn is associated to the number of the gensetGS1.

Wireless device WDn reads and transmits container id.

Wireless device WDn transmits refrigeration operational data.

Database DB1 searches entire fleet of shipment orders, seeking to matchcontainer ID.

Database DB1 employs algorithms and states to assure proper and mostrecent shipment order is associated to the container id.

Shipment order is terminated at end of trip so that genset GSn andcontainer RCn may independently seek a new order.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the system in FIG. 1 and the method in FIG.2 for a single segment or leg of a trip. In step 310, a work order WO(or shipment order or shipment dispatch order) is created in thecustomer's system, and in step 315 an operations center receives thework order WO and enters it in the database DB1. Wireless messages WMare also received from gensets GSn in step 320 and applied to thedatabase DB1. In step 325, the database DB1 checks for matchingcontainers RCn, i.e. looks for available containers, and in step 330finds a container whose container number on the work order WO matches acontainer number received in the wireless message WM, so that in step335 the database DB1 notes that the matching container has been found.In step 340, a lock trip is established in the database DB1 for thecontainer. In step 345 the database checks and confirms trip initiationson locked containers. In step 345 if an error is found signal back tothe database DB1 unlocks the locked container. In step 350, the databasematches the origin of the trip from the work order to the locationindicated in the wireless message WM from the genset GSn. If there is nomatch the database DB1 goes back to unlock. If a match exists, thedatabase DB1 initiates a trip in step 355. In step 360, the database DB1check for trip completion on initiated trips. In step 365, the databaseDB1 determines whether the destination from the work order WO matchesthe wireless message WM from the wireless device WDn on the genset GSn.If not the database sends an alarm. If there is a match the databasecompletes a segment or an entire trip in step 370 and releases the lockon the container RCn in step 375.

FIG. 4 is a substantial equivalent of FIG. 3 and the referencecharacters therein correspond to the reference characters in FIG. 3.

Shipment dispatch orders or work orders WO for refrigerated containersRCn cover broad regions, often including a land segment or segment, asea segment and another land segment of the journey. Shipment ordersgenerally contain an origin, destination, routes, order number,container number, who is responsible for each segment of shipment, andthe commodity aboard. Because gensets GSn are used in land segments of aspecific region, the embodiments of the invention permit the associationof shipment dispatch orders with genset-mounted wireless devices WDnwhile the refrigerated container RCn is in the land segment of thatspecific region. The embodiments of the invention overcome the effect ofthe problems arising from a shipment dispatch order generally that mayhave been created long in advance of the land segment of the journey inthe region of interest, and each genset GSn is “transient equipment”,which will interface to numerous refrigerator containers RCn and beresponsible for numerous shipments over time.

Each wireless device WDn is a gps wireless device W/D on a refrigerationgenset, and serves to (1) retrieve and transmit a refrigerated containeridentification number and (2), with a database, match thatidentification number with a shipment document or work order for therefrigerated container. In this manner, a shipment order for arefrigerated container, which contains such relevant information as (1)freight planning information for a commodity, (2) the prescribedtemperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) the origin anddestination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) the partiesresponsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchange pointsof the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigeration genset while it is attached to the refrigerated container.According to an embodiment, additional freight shipment information isderived by combining the real-time wireless data transmitted by thegenset, the container and the shipment information together. This leadsto optimization of the shipment and improvement of the reliability viathe constant monitoring of the condition of the cargo during theshipment. The process is illustrated in the figures.

These embodiments of the invention utilize the refrigerated containernumber derived from such a wireless device via wireless transmission toa database. The wireless information contains the serial number of thewireless device on the genset, and by association, the genset number.Therefore, while the genset is attached to the refrigerated container,the wireless device provides an association of the refrigeratedcontainer number to the genset, while they are temporarily attached toone another during the shipment. In this manner, the wireless device onthe genset identifies a transient association to the container onlyduring a relevant shipment segment of the journey.

Often, because the container has been powered by electrical energy on aship or on shore, and the shipment dispatch is created well in advanceof when the genset is attached to the container and turned on. Theshipment dispatch therefore does not contain the genset number. Theembodiment of the invention furnishes a procedure that collects all ofthe container shipment dispatches for the region in a database. Once thegenset wireless device identifies the refrigerated container number tothe database, a matching procedure is performed that identifies therelevant shipment number by screening through the complete collection ofshipment orders for the entire container fleet. In this manner, anassociation is made between the following elements in the followingsequence:

-   -   (1) Genset Wireless Device Serial Number/Genset Number    -   (2) Refrigerated Container Number    -   (3) Shipment Dispatch or Order Document Number    -   (4) Relevant Shipment Planning Data (Commodity, temperature set        point, origin, destination, route).

By screening the entire lot of shipment orders for a fleet ofrefrigerated containers, the database DB1 identifies the refrigeratedcontainer order number, via the container number, directly to thecontainer number transmitted by the wireless device. In this manner, thedatabase permits an association from the wireless device serial number,the genset number, the refrigerated container ID number and the shipmentnumber, along with all of its associated order information. When thishappens, the genset/container/shipment dispatch is determined to be inan “active and initiated” state.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a wireless transmission of arefrigerated container ID may be created prior to the creation of theappropriate shipment dispatch. Therefore, the container ID is held inthe database DB1 in an “active, but not initiated shipment” state. Thisis necessary as the genset GSn and refrigerated container RCn arerunning, but they are placed in a holding pattern until the necessaryshipment document is available.

Because of the disparate timing of the creation of shipment order andthe genset/container wireless transmission, container shipments areterminated in the region once each segment. This is necessary to preventthe genset/container wireless transmission to be associated with aprevious shipment dispatch order when the new order has yet to becreated. The logic of the embodiments of the invention prohibits a matchfrom occurring on a terminated shipment. Becausegenset/container/shipment dispatches are terminated, the embodiment ofthe invention creates an “active and initiated” state, when a propermatch is achieved. “Active” refers to the condition that thegenset/container association has been achieved in the database, and“Initiated” means that the second association with the shipment dispatchhas been achieved.

Thus, each genset/container ID newly associated in the database isassigned an “active, but not initiated” state prior to the time a matchwith the shipment number is made in the database. If thegenset/container id association is active for a long enough period oftime, it is assumed that the genset/container pair is either (1) beingused for some purpose other than a shipment, or (2) the subject of ashipment document error, and the “active but not initiated” statetransitions to a “no order” state.

If a shipment order is received for the region, the shipment is presumedto be in an “initiated” state. If, over time, no genset/containerassociation is available, it is a possibility that (1) the wirelessdevice is inoperable, (2) the refrigerated container is not configuredwith the proper equipment to allow the wireless device to read itsinformation or (3) another error has occurred. This requires that theshipment order be over written by a more recent shipment order, which isthen declared “initiated”. The older shipment order is ignored thereforefor the purpose of matching and thus, genset/container associationmatches with shipments in the “initiated” state.

In another embodiment, the method also automatically disassociates thegenset/container/shipment dispatch order upon completion of theshipment. That is, the system automatically terminates thegenset/container/shipment dispatch order upon completion of eachsegment, including the final segment. In this manner, the wirelessdevice is receptive to identify another container number and dispatchorder (as the genset is moved to another container requiring transport),and other dispatch orders responsive to match to other gensets GSn.

Thus the database identifies the operating conditions of therefrigeration system, along with its operating condition, temperatures,locations, fuel levels, etc. with the shipment planning parameterscontained in the shipment order, containing the commodity (i.e. frozenmeat, fresh broccoli, etc), its shipment origin, its routing, theparties responsible for the shipment and its destination. Thus, anassociation of the complete shipment plan is associated with wirelessderived operational information for each segment of the entire course ofthe shipment.

The embodiments of the invention match the operational activity ofattaching a genset to a refrigerated container with each segment of ashipment dispatch, which contains the refrigerated container number. Thefigures identify the conditions that are handled by the logic of thedatabase. In order that the database prevent matching errors, the rulesare established in the database. Although all shipment dispatches intime are available in the database, are screened to determine“initiated” states, which are the only shipments to be matched. Shipmentsegments are “terminated” so those are not used when genset/containersdeliver their wireless messages prior to initiation of the new relevantshipment segments.

As shown, the shipping container industry uses containers to transportgoods and services from one country/region to another. Shippingcontainers receive dispatch orders from origin to destination, whichidentify the commodity, origin, waypoints, destination, customer, anddelivery location. Efficiencies in the logistical management ofcontainer operations is feasible with the use of wireless trackingdevices, which can provide location and operational data which can beintegrated with dispatch orders. In this manner, shipments management isimproved.

Refrigerated containers operate their refrigeration systems onelectrical power while they carry shipments on the ship-based segment ofthe journey and on auxiliary genset power while on the land-basedsegment of the journey. Because gensets GSn are domiciled in specificcountries/regions to power and fuel refrigerated containers when theyenter the land-segment of the journey in that country/region, a methodexists to utilize the genset as a platform for a wireless device, whichreads the refrigerated container identification number and monitors theoperating condition. These embodiments of the embodiments of theinvention (1) identify a method to associate refrigerated containershipment dispatch orders (when they embark at a port via container shipor originate shipment in the interior of a country) with wirelessdevices installed on refrigerated container gensets GSn domiciled in asingle region, which can track and monitor the refrigerated container'sprogress for the shipment in that region and (2) provide for uniquedatabase logic to assure that a correct, error-free match betweenrefrigerated container and shipment dispatch order exists.

Embodiments of the invention match a shipment order, with specificsegments, in the database with the wireless notification message thatthe database receives from a genset, and which the genset receives fromthe container with the container number. The genset communicates withcontainer over the power line over which the genset energizes thecontainer. Initial communication occurs when the power line connects thegenset to container. The embodiments of the invention involveterminating shipment segments, including the final segment of ashipment, so new matches can be made. Termination occurs by respondingto removal of the power line from the genset to the container at the endof a shipment segment or the end of the shipment. The system overwritesany old genset communication when a power line connects a new genset tothe container.

According to another embodiment of the invention an operational servicedelivers an event and alarm system distributed to a Shipping Company'sProtective Service Responsible Parties (PSRP's). It delivers automaticevent and alarm information for each shipment order to PSRP'sresponsible for

Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange location (SODIL), railshipments and trucker dispatches.

As shown in FIG. 5 a software manager or operational service SM1communicates with customers or PSRPs CSn and operates a control CT1, forexample in the form corresponding to the database DB1. The latter alsocommunicates with freight FR1 . . . FRn, in the form of refrigeratedcars RCn connected via power connections PCn to gensets GS1 withwireless devices WDn, at SODILs SL1, SL2, SL3, . . . SLn along each of anumber of shipment routes SR1, SR2, . . . SRn.

FIG. 6 shows a shipment from a port via a truck via rail and again viatruck to a customer. The control CT1 communicates with the freight FR1,as it passes from SODIL #1 such as a port via a truck to a SODIL #2, viarail to a SODIL #3, and via truck to customer CSn.

The embodiment sets up a master file of PSRP's, containing theirelectronic contact information (email, cellular or both). In operation,a Shipping Company delivers standard EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)bill of lading transaction (204 for truck shipments and 404 for railshipments) documents electronically to an operations center of asoftware manager or operational service SM1 for entry into the databaseDB1 for each refrigerated container shipment. The database DB1 thenutilizes the genset GSn to identify the container number when thereefer, i.e. refrigerated container RCn, and genset are connected atshipment origin. The database DB1 then delivers wireless event and alarminformation to the PSRP's identified on the EDI planning documents (railor truck) or to the relevant Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchangelocation.

The information delivery within each email or cellular message includes:

Container number.

Genset number.

EDI 404 or 204 reference number.

Event type.

Alarm condition (if any).

GPS location (map with email).

Conditional genset and reefer information.

According to an embodiment, the Shipping Company's shipping system forrefrigerated containers is for example represented in the FIGS. 5 and 6.The shipment is governed by shipment origination and planningdocumentation, which is formatted in standard EDI transaction formats(404 for rail, 204 for truck dispatch):

Shipments within the 404 and 204 systems involve routing throughstandard shipping locations within the shipping company'sinfrastructure, called Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchangelocations. The shipping company may support 250 or more Shipment Origin,Destination or Interchange locations within North America. They includecompany owned and/or operated port facilities, rail operated intermodalramps (access and disembarking points), and third party supportlocations. Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange locations areaccessible via rail and truck (container/chassis) operations (as well ascontainer ship in the case of port facilities). Importantly, ShipmentOrigin, Destination or Interchange locations are not the same ascustomer drop off locations for in-bound shipments. Conversely, customerlocations (not Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange locations)often serve as origin points of shipments.

This embodiment allows for delivery of event and alarm information tothe parties that the Shipping Company has assigned PSRP'S responsibilityfor the shipment(s). Components of the system are discussed individuallyas follows:

Delivery/Receipt of 404 and 204 transactions: The shipping companyelectronically delivers EDI standard 404 and 204 transactions associatedwith every refrigerated container shipment in North America. Due to thevolume, this would be preferably performed via a web-services mechanism,although the database DB1 may be able to work with other mechanismsavailable to the shipping company.

Processing of 404/204 transactions: The database DB1 acts to process the404/204 transactions in anticipation of delivering wireless informationto the PSRPs, some of whom are identified within the EDI message. The404/204 transaction are initially established as “Active but notInitiated”. The database DB1 serves to establish a “trip plan” for eachcontainer by virtue of the information within the 404/204 messages,linking origin and destination via Shipment Origin, Destination orInterchange locations. “Active but not Initiated” means that thedatabase DB1 has received a 404 or 204 work order, but has not receiveda wireless communication from the genset/container pairing.

Active Shipments: The GPS/Genset wireless solution delivers containernumbers to the database DB1 via each monitoring device, i.e. wirelessdevice WDn, installed on each genset when the genset and reefer areturned on and connected. At shipment initiation, the database DB1 willassociate this container/genset pair with the relevant 404/204 tripplan. Once this association is made, the “Active but not Initiated” tripplan becomes “Active”. At this point, the database DB1 is prepared todeliver (and actually delivers the first message of) reefer containerand genset event and alarm information via email and cellular device tothe PSRP's. This would occur regardless of the gps location (ShipmentOrigin, Destination or Interchange location, customer or otherwise).

Distribution of wireless messages (Addressing): By receipt of the 404and 204 planning information, the database DB1 will deliver wirelessevent and alarm messages to the relevant parties. This is achieved viathe use of a master file, which maintains configuration control of theshipping company's authorized parties responsible for ProtectiveServices (along with their wireless email and cellular addresses). Theshipping company would be able to edit this file and release it fromtime to time into the database DB1's system. The notifications wouldalso be sent to the shipping company Operations so that they may monitorany critical movements. Similarly, maintenance related notifications aresent to MESC (either centrally or in a distributed fashion dependent onsimilar 404/204 logic).

Logic to determine proper Responsible Party: PSRP's are broken down intothree categories:

-   -   1. Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange PSRPs    -   2. Truck dispatch PSRPs    -   3. Rail PSRPs

Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange notification: The embodimentutilizes geofences to identify whether a Genset/Reefer is within aShipment Origin, Destination or Interchange location. If a trip plan is“Active” and the shipment is within any Shipment Origin, Destination orInterchange location, then notification will be addressed to the PSRPrelevant to that Shipment Origin, Destination or Interchange location.In FIGS. 5 and 6 at shipment initiation, the PSRP of Shipment Origin,Destination or Interchange # 1 would receive event information directly.

Truck dispatch PSRP: The database DB1 acts to deliver any eventinformation relevant to the 204 shipment to the PSRP identified by codenumber on the 204 document. In the case of 204A in the figures,especially 5 and 6, the database DB1 acts to deliver event and alarminformation once the genset delivered the Out of Geofence wirelessnotification associated with Shipment Origin, Destination orInterchange#1. In the figures, the truck PSPR continues to receiveevents/alarms associated with the shipment until arrival at ShipmentOrigin, Destination or Interchange #2, at which point, message deliverwould transition once again.

Rail dispatch PSRP: Once 404 shipments are outside of Shipment Origin,Destination or Interchange locations, event and alarm information isdistributed to the responsible PSRP for rail. If Canadian National orCanadian Pacific is identified on the 404 documentation, they receivethe wireless messages. Otherwise, the message delivery is made toMark-it Services. In the figures, this occurs until the third ShipmentOrigin, Destination or Interchange location was reached via geofence.

Completing Shipments: For the purpose of delivering wirelessnotifications, the database DB1 completes and closes out trip plans.This is important to prevent false positive messages to be delivered toPSRPs after shipments are made. Completion occurs upon the receipt of aReefer and Genset Off wireless message and physical delivery to aShipment Origin, Destination or Interchange location (Geofence).Alternatively, if a reefer is outside of a Shipment Origin, Destinationor Interchange location, receipt of another 204 and/or 404 messageconstituting a separate trip plan (i.e. reefer off) completes theprevious trip plan.

Inactive Shipments: Trip plans will become “Inactive” (for the purposeof delivering messages to PSRP's) if:

-   -   1. Valid 404/204 transactions are delivered to the database DB1,        but and no corresponding container numbers are delivered to the        database DB1 (i.e. in the case of an empty shipment where the        reefer remains off, the trip plan will transition from an        “Active but not initiated” state to an “Inactive” state after X        days.    -   2. If valid 404/204 transactions are delivered to the database        DB1 for the same container number which conflict with one of an        earlier origination date. In this instance, the trip plan will        be based on the bills of lading with the latest origination        dates.

Data Storage and History: Trip plans are stored and available bycontainer number, genset number, 404 or 204 numbers. A record ofdistributed event and alarm message delivery is retained in a “storagebin” for each trip plan.

Shipment dispatch orders for refrigerated containers cover broadregions, often including a land segment, a sea segment and another landsegment of the journey. Because gensets GSn are used in land segments ofa specific region, this method permits the association of shipmentdispatch orders with genset-mounted wireless devices while therefrigerated container is in the land segment of that specific region.Inventive techniques are necessary, because the shipment dispatch ordermay generally be created long in advance of the land segment of thejourney in the region of interest, and the genset is “transientequipment”, which will interface to numerous refrigerated containers andbe responsible for numerous shipments over time.

The embodiments utilize a gps wireless device on a refrigeration genset,to (1) retrieve and transmit a refrigerated container identificationnumber and (2) match that identification number with a shipment documentor work order for the refrigerated container. In this manner, a shipmentorder for a refrigerated container, which contains such relevantinformation as (1) freight planning information for a commodity, (2) theprescribed temperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) theorigin and destination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) theparties responsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchangepoints of the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigeration genset while it is attached to the refrigerated container.Additional freight shipment information may be derived by combining thereal-time wireless data transmitted by the genset, the container and theshipment information together, leading to optimization of the shipmentand improvement of the reliability via the constant monitoring of thecondition of the cargo during the shipment. This optimization of thereefer container, genset and shipment order is the subject of anotherpatent application

A genset is attached to a specific refrigerated container, when therefrigerated container is transported on the land segment of itsjourney. The genset temporarily provides fuel and electrical energy tothat specific container, and the genset will be used with differentrefrigerated containers containing different commodities in the future.These embodiments of the invention include an electronics systemsdeployed on the genset, that monitors its location and condition, whichinterfaces to the microprocessor on the refrigerated container via apower line modem and the genset-container power cord or a wirelessdevice. Via this interface, when the refrigerated container is turnedon, the wireless device may read technical data from the refrigeratedcontainer to contain refrigeration data (temperature, operating states)and the refrigerated container number. If the genset is able tologically make the connection to the refrigerated container, then it cantransmit the container number and other relevant information viawireless communications.

The embodiments utilize the refrigerated container number derived fromsuch a wireless device via wireless transmission to a database. Thewireless information contains the serial number of the wireless deviceon the genset, and by association, the genset number. Therefore, whilethe genset is attached to the refrigerated container, the wirelessdevice provides an association of the refrigerated container number tothe genset, while they are temporarily attached to one another duringthe shipment. In this manner, the wireless device on the gensetidentifies a transient association to the container only during arelevant shipment segment of the journey.

Often, because the container has been powered by electrical energy on aship or on shore, the shipment dispatch is created in well in advance ofwhen the genset is attached to the container and turned on. The shipmentdispatch therefore does not contain the genset number. The embodimentsof the invention provide a programming procedure which collects all ofthe container shipment dispatches for the region in a database. Once thegenset wireless device identifies the refrigerated container number tothe database, a matching procedure is performed that identifies therelevant shipment number by screening through the complete collection ofshipment orders for the entire container fleet. In this manner, anassociation is made between the following elements in the followingsequence:

-   -   (1) Genset Wireless Device Serial Number/Genset Number    -   (2) Refrigerated Container Number    -   (3) Shipment Dispatch or Order Document Number    -   (4) Relevant Shipment Planning Data (Commodity, temperature set        point, origin, destination, route).

By screening the entire lot of shipment orders for a fleet ofrefrigerated containers, it is feasible to identify the refrigeratedcontainer order number, via the container number, directly to thecontainer number transmitted by the wireless device. In this manner, thedatabase permits an association from the wireless device serial number,the genset number, the refrigerated container ID number and the shipmentnumber, along with all of its associated order information. When thishappens, the genset/container/shipment dispatch is determined to be inan “active and initiated” state.

In an embodiment of the invention, a wireless transmission of arefrigerated container ID may be created prior to the creation of theappropriate shipment dispatch. Therefore, the container ID is held inthe database in an “active, but not initiated shipment” state. This isnecessary as the genset and refrigerated container are running, but theyare placed in a holding pattern until the necessary shipment document isavailable.

Because of the disparate timing of the creation of shipment order andthe genset/container wireless transmission, container shipments isterminated in the region. This is necessary to prevent thegenset/container wireless transmission to be associated with a previousshipment dispatch order when the new order has yet to be created. Thelogic of the embodiments of the invention prohibits a match fromoccurring on a terminated shipment. Because genset/container/shipmentdispatches are required to be terminated, it is also necessary to createan “active and initiated” state, when a proper match is achieved.“Active” refers to the condition that the genset/container associationhas been achieved in the database, and “Initiated” means that the secondassociation with the shipment dispatch has been achieved.

Thus, each genset/container ID newly associated in the database isassigned an “active, but not initiated” state prior to the time a matchwith the shipment number is made in the database. If thegenset/container id association is active for a long enough period oftime, it is assumed that the genset/container pair is either (1) beingused for some purpose other than a shipment, or (2) the subject of ashipment document error, and the “active but not initiated” statetransitions to a “no order” state.

If a shipment order is received for the region, the shipment is presumedto be in an “initiated” state. If, over time, no genset/containerassociation is available, it is a possibility that (1) the wirelessdevice is inoperable, (2) the refrigerated container is not configuredwith the proper equipment to allow the wireless device to read itsinformation or (3) another error has occurred. This requires that theshipment order be over written by a more recent shipment order, which isthen declared “initiated”. The older shipment order is ignored thereforefor the purpose of matching and thus, genset/container associationmatches with shipments in the “initiated” state.

The embodiments match the operational activity of attaching a genset toa refrigerated container with a shipment dispatch, which contains therefrigerated container number. The figures identify the conditions thatare handled by the logic of the database. In order that the databaseprevent matching errors, the rules need to be established in thedatabase, which are the subject of these embodiments of the invention.Although all shipment dispatches in time are available in the database,these need to be screened to determine “initiated” states, which are theonly shipments to be matched. Shipments need to be “terminated” so thoseare not used when genset/containers deliver their wireless messagesprior to initiation of the new relevant shipments.

According to an embodiment, the method also automatically disassociatesthe genset/container/shipment dispatch order upon completion of theshipment. In this manner, the wireless device is then receptive toidentify another container number and dispatch order (as the genset ismoved to another container requiring transport), and other dispatchorders is responsive to match to other gensets GSn.

Thus, in the database, it is feasible to identify the operatingconditions of the refrigeration system, along with its operatingcondition, temperatures, locations, fuel levels, etc. with the shipmentplanning parameters contained in the shipment order, containing thecommodity (i.e. frozen meat, fresh broccoli, etc), its shipment origin,its routing, the parties responsible for the shipment and itsdestination. Thus, an association of the complete shipment plan isassociated with wireless derived operational information for the entirecourse of the shipment.

Wireless communications allows the deployment of devices which providefreight transport operators with real-time logistical and refrigerationstatus of their refrigerated transport equipment. Shipment dispatchorders provide for the planning of refrigerated transport shipments. Thecombination of shipment dispatch orders and wireless communicationsallows for the optimization of refrigerated freight transportoperations.

For refrigerated shipments, shipment dispatch orders, among otherthings, document the origin, destination, prescribed routing, commodity,the prescribed temperature control conditions and the partiesresponsible for the shipment. Wireless monitoring of refrigeratedtransport equipment, specifically measuring the operational parameterswithin the microprocessor controller of the refrigeration unit, providesspecialized data that is unique to refrigeration, such as the on, off orshutdown state, the set point temperature, the mode of operation, alarmconditions, door state, fuel level state, etc. These embodiments of theinvention provides for a method to match the shipment dispatch order fora specific refrigeration transport unit (trailer, truck, railcar orcontainer) with data received from a wireless communications device,which is mounted on or transiently has the means to monitor therefrigeration unit, and use data delivered via wireless transmissions,some of it unique to refrigeration transport, with the desired resultand end product of automatically managing the shipment. Automaticallymanaging the shipment means (1) initiating shipments automatically, (2)showing automatic status of shipments entering or leaving designatedlocations during the course of a shipment, (3) providing automaticnotifications of shipment status and problems to parties specificallyassigned to a segment or operation of the shipment, (4) monitorirregularities of the shipment centrally and (5) terminate shipmentsautomatically. When the entire collection of shipments for an entirefleet of refrigeration units is managed centrally within a system, it isfeasible to automatically establish the operational condition ofunutilized refrigeration transport equipment within the fleet,categorizing the units by technically available for use by location, orregion, requiring fuel but otherwise technically available, requiringmaintenance or a preventative maintenance check, or requiring arefrigeration pre-trip, leading to improved inventory management ofunutilized equipment.

Shipment dispatch orders for refrigerated transport equipment, includingcontainer/genset combinations, trailers, railcars and trucks, plan therouting for shipments over broad regions throughout the journey. Certaincomplex freight systems use designated routing locations, which are usedphysically to check in and out refrigerated transport equipmentperiodically from origin to destination. Certain simple freight systemsprovide for direct routing from origin to destination, but even in themost simple of routing, the use of designated locations, or “locationsof interest”, such as an origin or destination location are frequentlyused. Shipment dispatch orders designate the use of specific routes ortravel through specific designated locations. Generally, traditionalcheck in/check out procedures are slow and error prone, based on manualentry, and due somewhat to the changeover of personnel, the condition ofthe refrigeration shipment is treated with inconsistent quality. Withthe availability of wireless tracking, monitoring and control devicesfor refrigeration units, improvements in operations may result from theavailability of real-time status from specific refrigerated transportequipment. This method optimizes the relationship between the shipmentdispatch order and wirelessly tracked and monitored refrigeratedtransport equipment, utilizing the data unique to refrigerationtransport equipment to optimize the freight shipment.

This method furnishes a freight system that utilizes a gps wirelessdevice on a refrigerated trailer, railcar, truck or container genset, to(1) transmit a unique identification number that can matched in adatabase with the identification number of the reefer or transmitdirectly the identification number of the reefer and (2) match thatidentification number with a shipment document or work order for therefrigerated transport equipment. In this manner, a shipment order for arefrigerated container, which contains such relevant information as (1)freight planning information for a commodity, (2) the prescribedtemperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) the origin anddestination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) the partiesresponsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchange pointsof the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigerated transport unit or genset while it is attached to the arefrigerated container. By allowing for the matching of the shipmentorder and refrigerated transport unit, the wireless data may be used to(1) automatically originate the shipment when the refrigeration isturned on and has been matched to the shipment order, (2) establish a“matched and initiated trip” state, which is used to track the entirejourney and individual trip segments between designated routinglocations, (3) automatically log in and log out reefer units todesignated locations while in the “matched and initiated” state, (4)identify responsible parties (also known as “protective serviceresponsible parties” or PSRP's) from the shipment document and in thecomputer system, automatically designate the proper PSRP as “active” forthe appropriate trip segment derived from the wireless data from therefrigerated transport unit, (5) evaluate real-time irregularities withthe shipment which conflict with the shipment documentation and sendsuch alarm and event notifications to the appropriate PSRP for thespecific refrigerated transport unit number in the event humanintervention is required, and (6) terminate trip segments and tripsbased on programming logic acting on wireless data that is transmittedfrom the refrigeration unit. The unique and important aspect of theseembodiments of the invention is that the refrigeration unit'soperational state (as derived from the refrigeration unit) is a criteriato continuously link the wireless derived data with the shipmentplanning order, until the refrigeration unit enters or exhibitsconditions (i.e. arrives at destination and the refrigeration unit isturned off locally at the equipment) when the programming allows theshipment to be terminated.

A representative shipment routing process is illustrated in the figures.

These embodiments of the invention furnish a freight system thatutilizes a gps wireless device on a refrigerated trailer, railcar, truckor container genset, which (1) transmits a unique identification numberthat can associated in a database with the identification number of thereefer or transmit directly the identification number of the reefer and(2) associates that identification number with a shipment document orwork order for the refrigerated transport equipment in a computersystem.

These embodiments of the embodiments of the invention utilizes thecondition of the refrigeration transport equipment to improve thecertainty that an appropriate association is made between the equipmentin real-time and a collection of shipment dispatch orders for the sameequipment, which may be obsolete. When a wireless message containing arefrigeration transport equipment number and a turning on the reeferunit locally accompanied by the delivery of a set point, then a matchmay be made between a collection of shipment orders by associating theasset number, knowledge that the reefer has been turned on and the setpoint is appropriately set to the commodity. The shipment plan is thusin an “active and initiated” state, meaning that the refrigerationequipment is turned on (active) and matched to the origin of a shipmentplan (initiated).

Shipment routing designated locations are available on the asset via theuse of a “geofence”, or an area defined by gps coordinates, which allowsthe wireless device to transmit a message when entering or leaving. Ifthe geofence locations loaded into the firmware of the wireless deviceon the refrigeration unit correspond to the collection of designatedlocations, then wireless transmissions occurs whenever any particularunit in a fleet entered or left a designated location. These embodimentsof the embodiments of the invention claim involves the predeterminationthat a shipment order is “active and initiated”, and that a designatedlocation is available as a geofence on the asset, and the designatedlocation is defined on the shipment order as a routing junction, whichmight be linked to a previous designated location and collectivelycalled a segment, and the shipment order identifies a PSRP responsiblefor the shipment through the duration of the segment, then the tripsegment can be automatically traced in the programming system by thewireless device. Should an irregularity occur during the segmentjourney, such as a refrigeration alarm condition or an inadvertentrefrigeration shutdown, then a wireless notification is sent to the PSRPfor retrieval by cell phone or pager or personal computer notifying thePSRP to take care of the irregular condition.

According to the figures, once an “active and initiated” shipment leavesshipment origin in the prescribed operational state (reefer on, setpoint correct), then responsibility for the shipment is assigned to PSRP1. Once this shipment physically arrives into Designated Location 1without any irregularities, then the segment can be terminated in theprogramming system, and responsibility for the shipment is transferredto the management of Designated Location 1. Upon leaving DesignatedLocation 1 in an “active and initiated” state, then the shipment segmentresponsibility is assigned to PSRP2, who is identified on the shipmentorder. This process continues, until Designated Locations for theshipments are exhausted and all the shipment segments except the lastone are terminated.

These embodiments of the invention produce the completion or terminationof individual trip segments of a route for an overall shipment plan.

The embodiments of the invention provide more enhanced logic when therefrigerated transport unit travels outside of the final designatedlocation to the delivery location. At this point, the system knows fromthe matching of the trip segments to wireless status information thatthe shipment is currently in the last (delivery) segment. At this point,the system searches for wireless information that is indicative of ashipment delivery. For instance, should the wireless monitoring deviceon the asset detect that a tractor has become disconnected from thetrailer in the final segment of a journey, then this would constitute anindication that the reefer unit is close to destination, as it isdropped off in a yard. Subsequent messages, such as “door open” would beindicative of an unload event. Further, turning off the refrigerationunit locally would be the indication of the final destination. A dwelltime exceeding a prescribed limit after the refrigeration unit is turnedoff may be a factor in the automatic declaration that the shipment hasarrived at destination. Finally, the geographic return of the reefer toany designated location with the reefer unit off designates a certaintythat the delivery has been automatically made. In this manner, users maydesignate the standard sequence of refrigeration unit specific eventstransmitted via wireless communications, which indicate that a shipmenthas arrived at destination. Once this series of events is received inthe last segment, the final trip segment is terminated and the overallshipment dispatch work order may be terminated. In this manner, theshipment dispatch work order is not available in the future for newly“active” refrigerated shipments.

With the proliferation of an entire fleet of refrigeration units withinthe context of this matching and segment termination methodology,refrigerated trailers that are not in use may be evaluated for theirdwell time, suitability for use, fuel levels and future use plans. Ifall trailers are to be associated with shipments during use, thenwireless management of unassociated trailers offers significantpotential for operational efficiency. Thus, the collection ofunassociated trailers can be categorized in an inventory system formanagement to assign (i.e. working properly and available for shipment,requires maintenance, requires fuel, requires pre-trip, requirespreventative maintenance).

Further, exceptions to the trip activity may be evaluated to assure thatoperational efficiencies are maintained. For instance, matching shipmentorders to refrigeration activity with automatic forced termination ofshipments based on reefer conditional information leads to the abilityto examine refrigeration units that remain on for long periods of timeat customers' facilities.

Wireless communications allows the deployment of devices which providefreight transport operators with real-time logistical and refrigerationstatus of their refrigerated transport equipment. Shipment dispatchorders provide for the planning of refrigerated transport shipments. Thecombination of shipment dispatch orders and wireless communicationsallows for the optimization of refrigerated freight transportoperations.

For refrigerated shipments, shipment dispatch orders, among otherthings, document the origin, destination, prescribed routing, commodity,the prescribed temperature control conditions and the partiesresponsible for the shipment. Wireless monitoring of refrigeratedtransport equipment, specifically measuring the operational parameterswithin the microprocessor controller of the refrigeration unit, providesspecialized data that is unique to refrigeration, such as the on, off orshutdown state, the set point temperature, the mode of operation, alarmconditions, door state, fuel level state, etc. This embodiment of theinvention provides a method to match the shipment dispatch order for aspecific refrigeration transport unit (trailer, truck, railcar orcontainer) with data received from a wireless communications device,which is mounted on or transiently has the means to monitor therefrigeration unit, and use data delivered via wireless transmissions,some of it unique to refrigeration transport, with the desired resultand end product of automatically managing the shipment. Automaticallymanaging the shipment means (1) initiating shipments automatically, (2)showing automatic status of shipments entering or leaving designatedlocations during the course of a shipment, (3) providing automaticnotifications of shipment status and problems to parties specificallyassigned to a segment or operation of the shipment, (4) monitorirregularities of the shipment centrally and (5) terminate shipmentsautomatically. When the entire collection of shipments for an entirefleet of refrigeration units is managed centrally within a system, it isfeasible to automatically establish the operational condition ofunutilized refrigeration transport equipment within the fleet,categorizing the units by technically available for use by location, orregion, requiring fuel but otherwise technically available, requiringmaintenance or a preventative maintenance check, or requiring arefrigeration pre-trip, leading to improved inventory management ofunutilized equipment.

Shipment dispatch orders for refrigerated transport equipment, includingcontainer/genset combinations, trailers, railcars and trucks, plan therouting for shipments over broad regions throughout the journey. Certaincomplex freight systems use designated routing locations, which are usedphysically to check in and out refrigerated transport equipmentperiodically from origin to destination. Certain simple freight systemsprovide for direct routing from origin to destination, but even in themost simple of routing, the use of designated locations, or “locationsof interest”, such as an origin or destination location are frequentlyused. Shipment dispatch orders designate the use of specific routes ortravel through specific designated locations. Generally, traditionalcheck in/check out procedures are slow and error prone, based on manualentry, and due somewhat to the changeover of personnel, the condition ofthe refrigeration shipment is treated with inconsistent quality. Withthe availability of wireless tracking, monitoring and control devicesfor refrigeration units, improvements in operations may result from theavailability of real-time status from specific refrigerated transportequipment. This method optimizes the relationship between the shipmentdispatch order and wirelessly tracked and monitored refrigeratedtransport equipment, utilizing the data unique to refrigerationtransport equipment to optimize the freight shipment.

This method furnishes a freight system that utilizes a gps wirelessdevice on a refrigerated trailer, railcar, truck or container gensetGSn, to (1) transmit a unique identification number that can matched ina database DB1 with the identification number of the reefer or transmitdirectly the identification number of the reefer and (2) match thatidentification number with a shipment document or work order for therefrigerated transport equipment. In this manner, a shipment order for arefrigerated container, which contains such relevant information as (1)freight planning information for a commodity, (2) the prescribedtemperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) the origin anddestination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) the partiesresponsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchange pointsof the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigerated transport unit or genset while it is attached to the arefrigerated container. By allowing for the matching of the shipmentorder and refrigerated transport unit, the wireless data may be used to(1) automatically originate the shipment when the refrigeration isturned on and has been matched to the shipment order, (2) establish a“matched and initiated trip” state, which is used to track the entirejourney and individual trip segments between designated routinglocations, (3) automatically log in and log out reefer units todesignated locations while in the “matched and initiated” state, (4)identify responsible parties (also known as “protective serviceresponsible parties” or PSRP's) from the shipment document and in thecomputer system, automatically designate the proper PSRP as “active” forthe appropriate trip segment derived from the wireless data from therefrigerated transport unit, (5) evaluate real-time irregularities withthe shipment which conflict with the shipment documentation and sendsuch alarm and event notifications to the appropriate PSRP for thespecific refrigerated transport unit number in the event humanintervention is required, and (6) terminate trip segments and tripsbased on programming logic acting on wireless data that is transmittedfrom the refrigeration unit. An embodiment of this invention assuresthat the refrigeration unit's operational state (as derived from therefrigeration unit) is a criteria to continuously link the wirelessderived data with the shipment planning order, until the refrigerationunit enters or exhibits conditions (i.e. arrives at destination and therefrigeration unit is turned off locally at the equipment) when thesystem allows the shipment to be terminated.

This embodiment of the invention furnishes a freight system thatutilizes a gps wireless device on a refrigerated trailer, railcar, truckor container genset, which (1) transmits a unique identification numberthat can associated in a database with the identification number of thereefer or transmit directly the identification number of the reefer and(2) associates that identification number with a shipment document orwork order for the refrigerated transport equipment in a computersystem. The methodology of achieving the association between thewireless information and the shipment order is the subject of a previouspatent application.

This embodiment of the invention utilizes the condition of therefrigeration transport equipment to improve the certainty that anappropriate association is made between the equipment in real-time and acollection of shipment dispatch orders for the same equipment, which maybe obsolete. When a wireless message containing a refrigerationtransport equipment number and a turning on the reefer unit locallyaccompanied by the delivery of a set point, then a match may be madebetween a collection of shipment orders by associating the asset number,knowledge that the reefer has been turned on and the set point isappropriately set to the commodity. The shipment plan is thus in an“active and initiated” state, meaning that the refrigeration equipmentis turned on (active) and matched to the origin of a shipment plan(initiated).

Shipment routing designated locations are available on the asset via theuse of a “geofence”, or an area defined by gps coordinates, which allowsthe wireless device to transmit a message when entering or leaving. Ifthe geofence locations loaded into the firmware of the wireless deviceon the refrigeration unit correspond to the collection of designatedlocations, then wireless transmissions occur whenever any particularunit in a fleet entered or left a designated location. This embodimentof the invention involves the predetermination that a shipment order is“active and initiated”, and that a designated location is available as ageofence on the asset, and the designated location is defined on theshipment order as a routing junction, which might be linked to aprevious designated location and collectively called a segment, and theshipment order identifies a PSRP responsible for the shipment throughthe duration of the segment, then the trip segment can be automaticallytraced in the programming system by the wireless device. Should anirregularity occur during the segment journey, such as a refrigerationalarm condition or an inadvertent refrigeration shutdown, then awireless notification is sent to the PSRP for retrieval by cell phone orpager or personal computer notifying the PSRP to take care of theirregular condition.

According to the figures, once an “active and initiated” shipment leavesshipment origin in the prescribed operational state (reefer on, setpoint correct), then responsibility for the shipment is assigned to PSRP1. Once this shipment physically arrives into Designated Location 1without any irregularities, then the segment is terminated in theprogramming system, and responsibility for the shipment is transferredto the management of Designated Location 1. Upon leaving DesignatedLocation 1 in an “active and initiated” state, then the shipment segmentresponsibility is assigned to PSRP2, who is identified on the shipmentorder. This process continues, until Designated Locations for theshipments are exhausted and all the shipment segments except the lastone are terminated.

The embodiments of the invention provide the completion or terminationof individual trip segments of a route for an overall shipment plan. Theembodiments of the invention provide more enhanced logic when therefrigerated transport unit travels outside of the final designatedlocation to the delivery location. At this point, the system knows fromthe matching of the trip segments to wireless status information thatthe shipment is currently in the last (delivery) segment. At this point,the system searches for wireless information that is indicative of ashipment delivery. For instance, should the wireless monitoring deviceon the asset detect that a tractor has become disconnected from thetrailer in the final segment of a journey, then this would be anindication that the reefer unit is close to destination, as it isdropped off in a yard. Subsequent messages, such as “door open” would beindicative of an unload event. Further, turning off the refrigerationunit locally would be the indication of the final destination. A dwelltime exceeding a prescribed limit after the refrigeration unit is turnedoff may be a factor in the automatic declaration that the shipment hasarrived at destination. Finally, the geographic return of the reefer toany designated location with the reefer unit off would designate acertainty that the delivery has been automatically made. In this manner,users may designate the standard sequence of refrigeration unit specificevents transmitted via wireless communications, which indicate that ashipment has arrived at destination. Once these series of events isreceived in the last segment, the final trip segment may be terminatedand the overall shipment dispatch work order may be terminated. In thismanner, the shipment dispatch work order is not available in the futurefor newly “active” refrigerated shipments.

With the proliferation of an entire fleet of refrigeration units withinthe context of this matching and segment termination methodology,refrigerated trailers that are not in use may be evaluated for theirdwell time, suitability for use, fuel levels and future use plans. Ifall trailers are to be associated with shipments during use, thenwireless management of unassociated trailers offers significantpotential for operational efficiency. Thus, the collection ofunassociated trailers can be categorized in an inventory system formanagement to assign (i.e. working properly and available for shipment,requires maintenance, requires fuel, requires pre-trip, requirespreventative maintenance).

Further, exceptions to the trip activity may be evaluated to assure thatoperational efficiencies are maintained. For instance, matching shipmentorders to refrigeration activity with automatic forced termination ofshipments based on reefer conditional information leads to the abilityto examine refrigeration units that remain on for long periods of timeat customers' facilities.

Shipment dispatch orders for refrigerated containers cover broadregions, often including a land segment, a sea segment and another landsegment of the journey. Because gensets are used in land segments of aspecific region, this method permits the association of shipmentdispatch orders with genset-mounted wireless devices while therefrigerated container is in the land segment of that specific region.Inventive techniques are necessary, because the shipment dispatch ordermay generally be created long in advance of the land segment of thejourney in the region of interest, and the genset is “transientequipment”, which will interface to numerous refrigerated containers andbe responsible for numerous shipments over time.

This method utilizes a gps wireless device on a refrigeration genset, to(1) retrieve and transmit a refrigerated container identification numberand (2) match that identification number with a shipment document orwork order for the refrigerated container. In this manner, a shipmentorder for a refrigerated container, which contains such relevantinformation as (1) freight planning information for a commodity, (2) theprescribed temperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) theorigin and destination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) theparties responsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchangepoints of the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigeration genset while it is attached to the refrigerated container.Additional freight shipment information may be derived by combining thereal-time wireless data transmitted by the genset, the container and theshipment information together, leading to optimization of the shipmentand improvement of the reliability via the constant monitoring of thecondition of the cargo during the shipment. This optimization of thereefer container, genset and shipment order is the subject of anotherpatent application.

A genset is attached to a specific refrigerated container, when therefrigerated container is transported on the land segment of itsjourney. The genset temporarily provides fuel and electrical energy tothat specific container, and the genset will be used with differentrefrigerated containers containing different commodities in the future.This embodiment of the invention furnishes an electronics systemsdeployed on the genset, that monitors its location and condition, whichinterfaces to the microprocessor on the refrigerated container via apower line modem and the genset-container power cord or a wirelessdevice. Via this interface, when the refrigerated container is turnedon, the wireless device may read technical data from the refrigeratedcontainer to contain refrigeration data (temperature, operating states)and the refrigerated container number. If the genset is able tologically make the connection to the refrigerated container, then it cantransmit the container number and other relevant information viawireless communications.

The embodiments utilize the refrigerated container number derived fromsuch a wireless device via wireless transmission to a database. Thewireless information contains the serial number of the wireless deviceon the genset, and by association, the genset number. Therefore, whilethe genset is attached to the refrigerated container, the wirelessdevice provides an association of the refrigerated container number tothe genset, while they are temporarily attached to one another duringthe shipment. In this manner, the wireless device on the gensetidentifies a transient association to the container only during arelevant shipment segment of the journey.

Often, because the container has been powered by electrical energy on aship or on shore, the shipment dispatch is created in well in advance ofwhen the genset is attached to the container and turned on. The shipmentdispatch therefore does not contain the genset number. The embodimentsof the invention provide a procedure which collects all of the containershipment dispatches for the region in a database. Once the gensetwireless device identifies the refrigerated container number to thedatabase, a matching procedure is performed that identifies the relevantshipment number by screening through the complete collection of shipmentorders for the entire container fleet. In this manner, an association ismade between the following elements in the following sequence:

-   -   (5) Genset Wireless Device Serial Number/Genset Number    -   (6) Refrigerated Container Number    -   (7) Shipment Dispatch or Order Document Number    -   (8) Relevant Shipment Planning Data (Commodity, temperature set        point, origin, destination, route).

By screening the entire lot of shipment orders for a fleet ofrefrigerated containers, it is feasible to identify the refrigeratedcontainer order number, via the container number, directly to thecontainer number transmitted by the wireless device. In this manner, thedatabase permits an association from the wireless device serial number,the genset number, the refrigerated container ID number and the shipmentnumber, along with all of its associated order information. When thishappens, the genset/container/shipment dispatch is determined to be inan “active and initiated” state.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a wireless transmission of arefrigerated container ID may be created prior to the creation of theappropriate shipment dispatch. Therefore, the container ID must be heldin the database in an “active, but not initiated shipment” state. Thisis necessary as the genset and refrigerated container are running, butthey must be placed in a holding pattern until the necessary shipmentdocument is available.

Because of the disparate timing of the creation of shipment order andthe genset/container wireless transmission, container shipments must beterminated in the region. This is necessary to prevent thegenset/container wireless transmission to be associated with a previousshipment dispatch order when the new order has yet to be created. Thelogic of the embodiments of the invention prohibits a match fromoccurring on a terminated shipment. Because genset/container/shipmentdispatches are required to be terminated, it is also necessary to createan “active and initiated” state, when a proper match is achieved.“Active” refers to the condition that the genset/container associationhas been achieved in the database, and “Initiated” means that the secondassociation with the shipment dispatch has been achieved.

Thus, each genset/container ID newly associated in the database must beassigned an “active, but not initiated” state prior to the time a matchwith the shipment number is made in the database. If thegenset/container id association is active for a long enough period oftime, it is assumed that the genset/container pair is either (1) beingused for some purpose other than a shipment, or (2) the subject of ashipment document error, and the “active but not initiated” statetransitions to a “no order” state.

If a shipment order is received for the region, the shipment is presumedto be in an “initiated” state. If, over time, no genset/containerassociation is available, it is a possibility that (1) the wirelessdevice is inoperable, (2) the refrigerated container is not configuredwith the proper equipment to allow the wireless device to read itsinformation or (3) another error has occurred. This requires that theshipment order be over written by a more recent shipment order, which isthen declared “initiated”. The older shipment order must be ignoredtherefore for the purpose of matching and thus, genset/containerassociation matches with shipments in the “initiated” state.

The embodiments of the invention match the operational activity ofattaching a genset to a refrigerated container with a shipment dispatch,which contains the refrigerated container number. The figures identifythe conditions that must be handled by the logic of the database. Inorder that the database prevent matching errors, the rules need to beestablished in the database. Although all shipment dispatches in timeare available in the database, these need to be screened to determine“initiated” states, which are the only shipments to be matched.Shipments need to be “terminated” so those are not used whengenset/containers deliver their wireless messages prior to initiation ofthe new relevant shipments.

The embodiments automatically disassociate the genset/container/shipmentdispatch order upon completion of the shipment. In this manner, thewireless device must then be receptive to identify another containernumber and dispatch order (as the genset is moved to another containerrequiring transport), and other dispatch orders must be responsive tomatch to other gensets. Logic associated with the termination ofshipment dispatches is the subject of another patent application.

Thus, in the database, it is feasible to identify the operatingconditions of the refrigeration system, along with its operatingcondition, temperatures, locations, fuel levels, etc. with the shipmentplanning parameters contained in the shipment order, containing thecommodity (i.e. frozen meat, fresh broccoli, etc), its shipment origin,its routing, the parties responsible for the shipment and itsdestination. Thus, an association of the complete shipment plan isassociated with wireless derived operational information for the entirecourse of the shipment.

Shipment dispatch orders for refrigerated containers cover broadregions, often including a land segment, a sea segment and another landsegment of the journey. Because gensets are used in land segments of aspecific region, this method permits the association of shipmentdispatch orders with genset-mounted wireless devices while therefrigerated container is in the land segment of that specific region.Inventive techniques are necessary, because the shipment dispatch ordermay generally be created long in advance of the land segment of thejourney in the region of interest, and the genset is “transientequipment”, which will interface to numerous refrigerated containers andbe responsible for numerous shipments over time.

This method utilizes a gps wireless device on a refrigeration genset, to(1) retrieve and transmit a refrigerated container identification numberand (2) match that identification number with a shipment document orwork order for the refrigerated container. In this manner, a shipmentorder for a refrigerated container, which contains such relevantinformation as (1) freight planning information for a commodity, (2) theprescribed temperature control conditions for the shipment, (3) theorigin and destination and delivery points for the shipment, (4) theparties responsible for the shipment and (5) the routing and interchangepoints of the shipment, may be matched to the wireless device on therefrigeration genset while it is attached to the refrigerated container.Additional freight shipment information may be derived by combining thereal-time wireless data transmitted by the genset, the container and theshipment information together, leading to optimization of the shipmentand improvement of the reliability via the constant monitoring of thecondition of the cargo during the shipment. This optimization of thereefer container, genset and shipment order is the subject of anotherpatent application. The process is illustrated in the figures.

The instruction in the database for a segment is deactivated uponcompletion of the segment. Must terminate each segment to make sure itdoes not come up again, i.e. is not available for another match.

Each genset is off when it reaches end of a segment (or by mistake). Ifdestination is reached, then the turn-off is ok. If the turn-off isaccidental, notification is sent automatically to turn genset back on.The assigning statement for each segment is removed from the databaseupon completion of that segment.

Each shipment or route is composed of a number of segments or segments.For each trip the container is matched and the route set for thatsegment. Releasing the database instruction at the completion of eachsegment assures that it will not be accidentally repeated.

In general two types of gensets are used. The more expensive is aflexible “clip-on” that is attached to the container and removed on aship. The less expensive is underslung under the chassis of a truck.While in the present

While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, itwill be evident to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of theinvention may be embodied otherwise without departing from its spiritand scope.

1. A method comprising: dispatching from a database informationconcerning a plurality of containers on one or more segments of ajourney; communicating from a plurality of power sources each energizingone of said containers, return information concerning a condition ofsaid container back to said database on one or more segments of ajourney.
 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said power sources are eachtransient relative to said containers.
 3. A method as in claim 1,wherein said power sources are each transient relative to saidcontainers, and said power sources each transmit the identity of thecontainer to which the power source is connected.
 4. A method as inclaim 1, wherein said step of communicating includes transmitting from awireless device on each of said power sources an identification of thewireless device and the associated power source, and furthertransmitting from the wireless device data from the container to whichthe power source is connected.
 5. A method as in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer is a refrigerated container, and the step of communicatingincludes transmitting from a wireless device on each of said powersources operational data of said refrigerated container.
 6. A method asin claim 1, wherein the step of dispatching includes searching aplurality of shipment orders and matching a shipment order with acontainer id.
 7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of dispatchingincludes responding to return information to terminate the shipmentorder at the end of a trip.
 8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the stepof dispatching includes responding to return information to terminatethe shipment order at the end of a trip, and releasing the power sourceand he container to seek a new order.
 9. A system, comprising: adatabase; a plurality of containers on one or more segments of ajourney; a plurality of power sources each associated with a containeron one segment of a journey; a wireless device on each of said powersources associated with information concerning the container andcommunicating with said database on one or more segments of a journey ofthe container.
 10. A method comprising: dispatching from a databaseinformation concerning a plurality of containers on one or more segmentsof a journey; communicating from a plurality of power sources eachenergizing one of said containers, return information concerning acondition of said container back to said database on one or moresegments of a journey; tracking a shipment between Shipment Origin,Destination or Interchange locations (SODILs) and transmitting to acustomer event and alarm signals.
 11. A method as in claim 10, whereinsaid step of communicating includes the container number, the powersource id, a shipment reference number, a gps location, and wherein saidstep of dispatching includes dispatching the event type, an alarmcondition if any.